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Clearing the boundary, crossing into history: J&K end 67-year wait, enter maiden Ranji Trophy final | Cricket News

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Clearing the boundary, crossing into history: J&K end 67-year wait, enter maiden Ranji Trophy final
Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi celebrates with teammates after taking a wicket vs Bengal. (PTI Photo)

KALYANI: One clean swing, one red ball sailing into the stands, and a 67-year wait came to an end. The moment Vanshaj Sharma launched Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar for six, J&K players, support staff and officials poured onto the field at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground here on Wednesday. Their celebratory roar could probably be heard all the way to the Himalayan state.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With that hit, J&K sealed its first-ever spot in the final of the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic red-ball cricket event. Once famous for the Kashmir willow, J&K is etching a chapter of its own in the annals of Indian cricket.

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The result, a 6-wicket win, was emphatic, even though there were moments when the match appeared to be slipping away. Set 126 for victory, the team completed the chase in 34.4 overs, getting it done before lunch on Day 4.“I have played the Ranji final a number of times. But this time, it’s different. I had not slept for the last three nights. Today I will sleep well,” an elated coach Ajay Sharma, once a stalwart of the domestic scene for Delhi, said.As history beckoned, J&K began Day 4 within touching distance, only 83 runs away, yet Bengal came hard at them. Akash Deep, already among the wickets, struck twice to remove Shubham Khajuria and Yawer Hassan, then returned to send back skipper Paras Dogra.Mohammed Shami, relentless as ever, bowled Shubham Pundir to briefly widen the doorway for a comeback. But Abdul Samad and Sharma shut it with authority with an unbeaten 55-run fifth-wicket partnership that carried J&K to the line without another stumble. Samad’s unbeaten 30 off 27 balls, studded with three sixes, provided the finishing fire. Sharma’s 43 not out off 83 balls supplied the composure.The semifinal had turned on J&K’s refusal to panic after conceding a first-innings lead. Bengal piled up 328, powered by Sudip Kumar Gharami’s superb 146, and then had J&K out for 302 in reply, with Shami ripping through the innings with 8/90. Yet J&K stayed within reach through Samad’s counter-attacking 82, Dogra’s 58 and valuable lower-order runs that kept the deficit to 26.Few might have expected J&K to flip that deficit into a ticket to the final. But Sharma insisted the belief never wavered. “I told the boys that the match is not over. We have two more days. Cricket always gives you a second chance. Red-ball cricket is a dangerous game,” the 61-year-old Sharma said.Day 3 delivered the match’s decisive lurch. Bengal, under pressure, collapsed for 99 in just 25.1 overs. Sunil Kumar grabbed 4/27 and Auqib Nabi — the breakout fast bowler this season — took 4/36 to complete a match haul of 9/123, also chipping in with 42 with the bat earlier. Dogra underlined how quickly the equation changed. “That was not a significant lead (26 runs) and we still had seven sessions of play. But of course we never expected them (Bengal) to fold so cheaply,” he said. The final will carry personal meaning for Dogra, a veteran who crossed 10,000 Ranji runs during this match and now finds himself within a game of the trophy that has eluded him. “It will be big for me. My first Ranji final too. I never thought that I would get such a good group of players,” Dogra said, adding: “There was belief in everyone from the beginning of the season that we can win the Ranji Trophy.”Both Dogra and Sharma could not stop talking about pacer Nabi. “He is a match-winner for us,” Dogra said. “He has good work ethics and has been disciplined.” Coach Sharma believes bigger things are not far away for the 29-year-old from Baramulla. “Age is on his side and he has developed the skill set. He will play the IPL (for Delhi Capitals) and if he performs there, the sky’s the limit for him,” Sharma said.The final is next, and J&K have earned the right to dream all the way.Brief scores: J&K 302 (Samad 82, Shami 8-90) & 126/4 (Vanshaj 43, Samad 30*, Akash Deep 3-46) beat Bengal 328 (Gharami 146, Nabi 5-87) & 99 (Shahbaz 24, Sunil 4-27, Nabi 4-36) by 6 wicketsMEN BEHIND THE MILESTONE: THE TEAM’S KEY PERFORMERSAuqib Nabi: The medium-pacer took 12 wickets (7/40 & 5/70) against MP in the quarterfinal, and 9 (5/87 & 4/36) in the semifinal. Nabi has a 8.4cr IPL deal with Delhi Capitals. Will an India Test call-up follow? Matches This Season: 9, Wkts: 55, Avg: 12.7, Economy Rate: 2.7, Strike Rate: 28.5Sunil Kumar: The left-arm medium-pacer has been the perfect foil to Nabi. His 3/41 & 4/27 in the semis proved crucial. Matches: 8, Wkts: 29, Avg: 15.1, ER: 2.6, SR: 34.9Abdul Samad: The middle-order batter’s composure under pressure has seen him pull off several rescue acts. In the semis, he first slammed 82, then scored an unbeaten 30 off 27 balls to finish a tricky chase. Matches: 9, Runs: 655, Avg: 59.5Paras Dogra: The skipper has led with both bat and tactical acumen. Fittingly, the 41-yr-old has become only the 2nd batter to cross 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy. Matches: 9, Runs: 551, Avg: 42.4

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Decorum targets 2026 Rosehill Guineas path with latest success

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With three wins in only four starts, the lightly raced three-year-old Decorum has emerged as a prospect for the Group One Rosehill Guineas.

Trained by Michael Freedman and jumping at $1.65 in betting, the colt capitalised on his recent first-up score at Warwick Farm by grinding out victory in Wednesday’s Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1600m) at the same course, wearing down Lancelot Du Lac ($2.80) by a narrow half-length margin.

As the full brother to 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes champion Switzerland, Decorum demonstrates a preference for stamina-testing distances over his brother’s sprint prowess, and victorious jockey Tommy Berry agrees on his bright outlook.

“I just can’t wait to get him to 2000 (metres). He feels like he’s looking for that sort of ground,” Berry said.

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“There is definitely a good race in him. I’m just not sure which one it is.”

Entries are in place for Decorum in multiple autumn carnival majors, including the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas.

Among the frontrunners for those is Spring Champion Stakes graduate Attica, resuming Saturday in Randwick’s Hobartville Stakes, whom Berry likens to Decorum.

Specifically, Attica had to dig deep to defeat Decorum in their joint debut at Warwick Farm last season, en route to Group 1 success three starts beyond.

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“Not that I’ve ridden Attica, but I’ve seen plenty of him, he reminds me a little bit of him a ‘prep’ ago, so he’s a prep behind him,” Berry said.

“He’s one of those horses, he’s a real working class horse and when the penny drops, which probably won’t be until the spring, he’s just going to keep going the way he’s going.

“The Randwick Guineas might be a little bit sharp for him, but you’ve probably got to go there on your way to a Rosehill Guineas.”

Decorum arguably posted the day’s top result, yet Nash Rawiller dominated the riding stakes with three winners from the opening trio of races.

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He piloted late addition Satirically for Tulloch Lodge to win first-up, before striking again with Wolf Gap from Anthony and Sam Freedman and Straand Beauty for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.

Head to the betting sites for competitive racing betting markets on the Rosehill Guineas.

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Watch Live: Canada vs. Norway Olympic men’s curling at 3:05 a.m. ET

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Canada wraps up round-robin play in men’s curling with a game against Norway at the Winter Olympics. First shot is scheduled for 3:05 a.m. ET / 12:05 a.m. PT on Thursday.

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Real's Vinicius slams 'cowards' after racism row interrupts Benfica Champions League clash

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Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior took aim at racist “cowards” after he was allegedly abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni on Tuesday during the first leg of their Champions League play-off, prompting the referee to briefly stop the match and activate an anti-racism protocol.

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No. 17 St. John’s continues winning ways versus Marquette

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NCAA Basketball: St. John at MarquetteFeb 18, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Adrien Stevens (10) and St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) reach for the ball during the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Bryce Hopkins had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Oziyah Sellers added 12 points as 17th-ranked St. John’s held off host Marquette 76-70 in a Big East matchup Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wis., extending its winning streak to 12 games.

St. John’s (21-5, 14-1 Big East) moved atop the conference, a half-game in front of No. 5 UConn, which was upset by Creighton 91-84 on Wednesday. The Red Storm has not lost since a 77-71 setback against Providence on Jan. 3.

Nigel James Jr. had 25 points and Royce Parham 13 for Marquette (9-18, 4-12 Big East), which has lost four of its last five games.

Joson Sanon’s 3-pointer put St. John’s up 67-61 with 6:37 remaining, but neither team scored again until Zuby Ejofor hit a free throw with 4:10 left to make it 68-61.

Sanon’s subsequent free throw put St. John’s up 71-63 with just under three minutes left. Adrian Stevens hit a 3-pointer and Tre Norman hit the second of two free throws to pull Marquette within 71-67 with 44 seconds remaining.

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James converted a three-point play to make it 72-70 with 27.5 seconds left. Ejofor’s two free throws pushed the lead to 74-70 with 21.1 seconds remaining.

Marquette’s Chase Ross missed a baseline runner and Hopkins added a pair of free throws.

Marquette erased a nine-point halftime deficit with an 11-point run to open the second half. Ross’s 3-pointer from the top put the Golden Eagles in front 46-44 as St. John’s missed its first five shots after the break.

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James scored on consecutive drives to put Marquette in front 56-50 with just under 12 minutes remaining.

St. John’s responded with a nine-point run, going in front 59-56 on Hopkins’ 3-pointer.

St. John’s closed the first half with a 10-4 run for a 44-35 halftime lead. The Red Storm shot 54.8 in the first half, hitting 7 of their final 8 shots.

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–Field Level Media

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Ranji Trophy: Jammu and Kashmir dare to dream under pressure – A big leap long in the making | Cricket News

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Ranji Trophy: Jammu and Kashmir dare to dream under pressure – A big leap long in the making
Jammu and Kashmir’s players celebrate after the team’s victory in Ranji Trophy semifinal against Bengal. (PTI Photo)

KALYANI: History had barely settled in when the phone rang. A familiar face flashed up on a video call. Minutes after Jammu and Kashmir sealed a spot in the Ranji Trophy final, the team heard from BCCI president Mithun Manhas, a former head of the J&K cricket’s ad-hoc committee. It was fitting. J&K first entered the Ranji Trophy in the 1959-60 season. For decades they were treated as plucky participants, rarely as genuine threats. The transformation into a side that now talks — and plays — like title contenders has had Manhas’ imprint on it.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“We have done it, Mithun,” J&K coach Ajay Sharma shouted out on the phone, “Mithun and I go back a long way. He made his debut for Delhi under me. I know how hard he had worked for this.”There is a fairy-tale quality to J&K’s rise as a cricketing power: overcoming odds, brushing aside doubts, and learning the most important skill of all — self-belief. But this isn’t a story built on romance alone. It has also been shaped by method, patience and the hard labour of building a culture.

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Former Delhi player Sharma himself admits he struggled to get a grip when he first took charge before the 2022-23 season. “When I joined for the first time, I was handling 38 boys. I was alone then,” Sharma said.The set-up looks very different now. J&K have a bowling coach in P Krishnakumar and Dishant Yagnik as their fielding coach. These are small additions on paper, significant ones in a dressing room trying to grow into a winning unit.“Initially it was challenging because it was a very different culture in J&K. It took me around two years to understand these kids. It took time to bond with them,” he said. “I was hard on them initially. But today they see me as an elder brother.”The first shift, Sharma believes, had to happen in the mind. “These boys only think about white-ball cricket and the IPL. We have players from the state in the IPL. But Mithun, as J&K cricket administrator, had a vision and that is to win the Ranji trophy. Ranji trophy still remains the country’s premier tournament. If you do well here your name goes ahead,” Sharma said.From there, the work became more deliberate: identify a core and keep backing it. A group of 24-25 boys began to take shape — some, like left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar, emerging through talent-hunt competitions. “It’s the same bunch which has developed as we kept giving them confidence,” Sharma stated.Alongside confidence came ambition — not the loud, throwaway kind, but some-thing planted carefully and watered over seasons. “I slowly made them understand that you are all talented guys and you are all around 19-20 years of age. You have the game in you so if you apply a little, you can play for India,” he said.Infrastructure, too, mattered. J&K’s push included pitch preparation, with Sharma noting the state now has both black and red soil pitches, a rare advantage for a side looking to be versatile at home and resilient away.Preparation became a season-defining theme. “Pre-season is very important and we started playing the Buchi Babu (in Chennai) for the last two-three years,” Sharma pointed out. Facing bigger sides there, and surviving those examinations, helped the group believe it could beat anyone.“J&K has become a team to reckon with. Everybody is scared of playing J&K now,” Sharma thundered. “We have all bases covered having both quality fast bowlers and spinners. We have won both the knockout matches away from home.”

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Why golfers keep playing ‘frustrating’ game, according to Scottie Scheffler

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US ski star Shiffrin beats Swiss world champion Rast to win Olympic slalom gold

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US skier Mikaela Shiffrin won gold in the slalom event on Wednesday, finishing a whopping 1.50sec ahead of Swiss world champion Camille Rast.

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Champions League: What happened on Real Madrid bench and tunnel after Vinicius Jr racism allegation?

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Champions League Match of the Day pundit Guillem Balague, who attended Real Madrid’s match at Benfica on Tuesday, explains the aftermath of the alleged racist incident between Vinicius Jr and Gianluca Prestianni.

READ MORE: Vinicius: Eight years at Real Madrid, 20 cases of alleged racist abuse

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Lampard Praises Frank Onyeka After Impressive Coventry City Debut

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Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard has praised Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka after his strong debut for Coventry City.

The 28-year-old joined Coventry from Brentford in the January transfer window but missed their previous match against Oxford United because his wife was about to give birth. He returned to action in their crucial clash against Middlesbrough and was named in the starting line-up.

Onyeka played 75 minutes at the Coventry Building Society Arena, winning duels, pressing high and helping his team stay organised in midfield.

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After the game, Lampard expressed his delight with the Nigerian midfielder’s performance, saying his energy and ball-winning ability were key reasons he was signed.

“He was outstanding – the energy, the ball winning,” Lampard said. “He was so visible with his pressing, break-up play and quality on the ball. He reads the game quickly, covers a lot of ground and can play as well.”

Lampard added that Onyeka’s experience in the Premier League and with the national team gave the squad a boost.

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“When you bring in a player of that level, it gives everybody a lift. It’s not easy to come into a game at this level, but it looked like it was there,” he said.

Onyeka played alongside Matt Grimes in midfield, and the pair helped Coventry look more solid in the centre of the pitch. Lampard said Onyeka brought a different profile to the team and had already impressed in training.

“He was tired and cramping up, that’s why he had to come off, but he will get fitter. His impact was high, and I’m very pleased with him,” Lampard added.

Coventry’s win over Middlesbrough moved them to the top of the EFL Championship table, although only by a single point.

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Vikings May Have to Box Out One Team for Kyler Murray

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Kyler Murray lines up against the Chargers at State Farm Stadium.
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) lines up against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 27, 2022. Murray scanned the defense before the snap, operating Arizona’s offense during a regular-season AFC-NFC matchup under the roof in Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Betting markets suggest that the Minnesota Vikings are the frontrunners to acquire Kyler Murray in 2026. But one team cannot be ruled out as an alternate suitor: the New York Jets.

Minnesota’s Murray pursuit could turn into a Vikings-Jets tug-of-war, depending on Murray’s fate: trade or release.

Of course, it’s not a foregone conclusion that Minnesota will pursue Murray; the Vikings’ actions will prove yes or no in the next few weeks. Keep an eye on the Jets, too, as Murray’s other would-be destination.

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Vikings and Jets Could Battle for Kyler Murray

Murray has to go somewhere, and it could be a binary choice between the Vikings and the Jets.

Aaron Glenn stands on the sideline before a Jets game in New Orleans.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn stands on the sideline at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Dec. 21, 2025, ahead of kickoff against the Saints. Glenn surveys the field during pregame moments as his team prepares for the road matchup inside the Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell on Murray to NYJ

Barnwell took on the upcoming quarterback carousel this week, outlining trades that made sense for the quarterback in question and the teams in need.

On Murray to the Jets, he wrote, “Jets get: QB Kyler Murray, 2026 sixth-round pick. Cardinals get: 2026 fourth-round pick. Aaron Glenn turned over nearly his entire staff after a disappointing first year, when the Jets were abysmal on both sides of the football. For most of the first half of the season, Glenn couldn’t decide whether to bench Justin Fields, and when Fields went down with an injury, the results from Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook weren’t much better.”

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“Glenn could be coaching for his job in Year 2, and though he will trust his ability to turn around the defense, finding a veteran quarterback who can win a few games is critical. Swapping a Day 3 selection for a quarterback who ranked 14th in Total QBR over the past two years won’t hurt an organization that has a ton of draft capital after the Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner trades.”

The Cardinals are reportedly somewhat comfortable embarking on the 2026 season with last year’s QB2, now QB1, Jacoby Brissett.

Barnwell continued, “Jets fans would love to add their quarterback of the future after seeing Sam Darnold thrive in Seattle, but they also haven’t had even league-average QB play in a season since Josh McCown put together a solid year for the Jets in 2017.”

“It’s never fun to see the face of the franchise dealt for a Day 3 pick, but I would suspect that the new staff was interviewed and hired with the understanding that Murray wouldn’t be staying in Arizona for much longer. So a Murray trade might be about landing the best available deal instead of waiting for the right one.”

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Since the beginning of the offseason, with the assumption that the Las Vegas Raiders will draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, two teams always made the most sense for Murray: Minnesota and New York. And now here are — with those franchises as the two pace-setters to net his services.

Steelers and Falcons as Dark Horses?

Most NFL teams have a quarterback plan in motion by now. A handful of teams do not, including the Vikings and Jets.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers could lurk as a dark horse for Murray. Aaron Rodgers probably won’t formally retire until he absorbs the most offseason attention possible, but at what point would the Steelers’ brass tell him no thanks and sign Murray if Arizona releases the 28-year-old? Most would consider a 28-year-old Murray an upgrade over 42-year-old Rodgers.

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What’s more, the Atlanta Falcons could also peek at Murray, with Kirk Cousins on tap to be released and Michael Penix Jr. recovering from his third career ACL tear.

Other offshoot suitors if Murray is gettable for cheap? The Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts.

A Release by Cardinals Could Change Everything

The current kicker on Murray is straightforward: Will the Cardinals release Murray or trade him? If traded, Murray’s next team will take on a fat contract that would almost certainly be restructured. With a release, well, the Cardinals foot the entire bill.

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Kyler Murray gets ready at State Farm Stadium before a game. Kyler Murray Vikings Rumors.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray moves through pregame warmups at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Nov. 12, 2023, loosening his arm before facing the Atlanta Falcons. The field-level shot captures Murray’s throwing mechanics and focused demeanor as kickoff approaches. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Recent momentum suggests Arizona could cut Murray, as perhaps no team will take the bait on a trade and the contract. A free-agent Murray is a game-changer. What quasi-quarterback-needy team wouldn’t want him for something in the ballpark of the league minimum?

If Murray is released, the Vikings absolutely must pursue him. The value would be off the charts. The same mentality applies to the Jets, Steelers, or Dolphins.

Murray Would Probably Pick MIN over NYJ if Decision Is Left to Him

If you use social media, you likely know this factoid by now: Murray grew up cheering for the Vikings. He was reared in the Adrian Peterson era, and he’s told reporters numerous times that Minnesota was his squad.

Kyler Murray takes a snap against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) takes the snap from center Hjalte Froholdt (72) at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 3, 2023, initiating a play against the Steelers. Murray sets his feet as the pocket begins to form in the road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Therefore, ask yourself: Would a free-agent Murray, who would have free will to pick his next team, pick the Jets, a franchise historically and habitually mired by dysfunction? Or would he pick his favorite team as a lad that also employs Justin Jefferson, the quarterback whisperer head coach, and Brian Flores?

A no-brainer.

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